Wenger demands flying start
Arsene Wenger insists it is imperative Arsenal hit the ground running in their bid to win a first Barclays Premier League title in 12 years.
The Gunners open their campaign against West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday following a strong pre-season.
Arsenal triumphed in the Asia and Emirates Cups while manager Wenger finally beat Jose Mourinho's Chelsea at the 14th attempt in last Sunday's Community Shield.
But although Wenger's side enjoyed a strong finish to the 2014-15 season, they had won just two of their opening eight Premier League matches.
The Frenchman, heading into his 20th campaign as Arsenal boss, is desperate to avoid a repeat performance this term.
"I'm motivated to start well," said Wenger, who will be without Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky for the season opener.
"One of our targets is to start strongly, we've had good preparation and that should give us much-needed confidence.
"The Premier League is a fight in every single game so we have to prepare ourselves mentally for that and come out of the blocks straight away against West Ham.
"Every game of pre-season went well, and I cannot remember a much better preparation.
"We won the FA Cup last year, we finished third in the league so our target is very high - we want to win the Premier League."
Alexis Sanchez returned to training only this week following his exploits with Chile in the Copa America over the summer.
But Wenger refused to rule him out of taking part in Arsenal's curtain raiser at the Emirates.
He said: "It is about my decision. I think he came back in a good shape.
"Will he not be involved at all on Sunday? I don't know yet. It depends a little bit on what I see tomorrow (Saturday) and who will be available. He understands that perfectly well."
Aaron Cresswell is targeting another strong start to the season for West Ham - but knows they must carry it into the new year this time around.
New boss Slaven Bilic is in charge of his first top-flight game with the Croatian having already seen his side dumped out of the Europa League as the club prioritise their domestic campaign.
Last season under Sam Allardyce, West Ham started strongly before tailing off massively during the second-half of the season and finishing down in 12th after a potential top-eight spot slipped away.
Cresswell played his part as one of a host of new arrivals and the reigning Hammer of the Year wants a similar start this time around.
"Last year we hit the ground running with the signings that came into the building and hopefully we can do the same this year," he told West Ham TV.
"We had a good first half to the season last season, but the second half wasn't so good. If we can get a good start and take it into the Christmas period, we can kick on from there. The main aim is to finish in the top 10."
A trip to the Emirates Stadium is a difficult start for Bilic, who left a host of first-team regulars at home as they lost to Romanian side Astra Giurgiu on Thursday night.
Cresswell admits the early start to Europa League action was not ideal but believes they can get a positive result from the London derby.
"We have prepared ourselves the best we possibly could do over the last few weeks," he added.
"It's been tough at times, playing Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, but we've adapted well to it and hopefully it will stand us in good stead come the start of the Premier League season.
"It's the Premier League and anyone can beat anyone, but we know it's not going to be easy going there and it's not going to be a stroll in the park.
"We're going to go there and give 110 per cent, as we will in every game we play, and hopefully we'll get a result there."
Bilic has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from although loanee Carl Jenkinson is unavailable against his parent club.
Source: PAR
